High prices for beans, eggs, and beef maintain pressure on food costs in February

Food prices continued to pressure the budgets of Brazilian families in February, especially on essential items. According to the study “Price Variations: Brazil & Regions,” by Neogrid, staple products recorded new increases in the period, keeping the cost of food at a high level. Among the highlights, eggs led the increases, with an advance of 14.3% compared to January. Following are vegetables, with an increase of 4.5%, and beans, which rose 3.5%. Beef also registered an increase, going from R$ 40.42 to R$ 41.16 per kilo, equivalent to an increase of 1.8%. Cheeses presented a slight increase of 0.7%. Despite the pressure on staple foods, some items showed a drop in prices in the period, contributing partially to easing consumer spending. The main price decreases were recorded in: Still, the relief was insufficient to compensate for the advance of the main items in the basic food basket. According to the analysis by Neogrid’s strategic data specialist, Anna Carolina Fercher, ...